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A Gamma‐photoneutron Method for Laboratory Studies of Soil Water

1970; Wiley; Volume: 34; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2136/sssaj1970.03615995003400040008x

1435-0661

J.C. Corey, Richard H. Hawkins, R. F. Overman,

Radioactivity and Radon Measurements

Abstract The gamma‐photoneutron method is unique among nuclear methods used to study water movement in soil because the heavy water ( 2 H 2 O) content of laboratory soil columns can be measured independently of bulk density of soil, soil texture, light water ( 1 H 2 O) content, and type of clay mineral. The method requires a radioactive source that emits gamma photons in excess of 2.23 Mev and a neutron detector. The neutron detector measures photoneutrons produced when the deuterium nuclei in the gamma radiation field split into a photoneutron and a proton. The number of photoneutrons detected is linearly related to the heavy water content of the soil column.